At A Glance

Where

Skiers and riders have great choices in finding good deals for that snowy vacation or weekend.

Some recent OnTheSnow.com research found a variety of offers, including a number of resorts in the same general area, which display great variance in what you get for your money.

New Hampshire spots want your business, so you choose what suits you.

Waterville Valley is touting its Wicked Long Weekends, which the resort claims, “Let you turn the average weekend into a mini-vacation.”

Most resorts peg Friday check-in at 4 p.m., Sunday check-out in the morning.

Any Waterville Ski and Stay deal this season (more below) provides for 12:30 p.m. Friday check-in, allowing you to hit the slopes that day, and 3 p.m. Sunday check-out, again giving you much of the day’s skiing or riding.

Waterville calls itself “car-free,” because the inns, lodges, and condos are generally within walking distance of shops and restaurants, while the Nordic Center and mountain can be reached by free shuttle.

The 1785 Inn and Restaurant in North Conway has some “wicked cheap” prices. You get lodging, breakfast, and a trail pass for cross-country skiing from the inn for $35 per person, double occupancy; for $55 you get tickets for tubing and the mountain coaster at Cranmore; for $84 per person, you get lift ticket to ski or ride at Cranmore.

Be warned. These are starting prices, and apply mid-week with a shared bath.

Two of the Granite State’s “grande dames” also can present bargains.

The Omni Mount Washington has a Stay Here, Ski Free Package. Rates start at $199 per night based on double occupancy, which includes two lift tickets to Bretton Woods. (See link below)

The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel will pick up first-time guests, minimum party of four, at home anywhere within 200 miles, including Canada, Boston, Portland and Burlington. You book a five-day ski and stay package which costs $149 per person per day, and covers lift tickets, breakfasts, five-course table d’hote dinner, use of resort facilities, and nightly entertainment. They'll take you home, too. (See link below.)

Lake Tahoe, clear across the country, presents more choices.

The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe is featuring three ski packages all of which include a deluxe standard guestroom, all taxes and resort fees, complimentary "Door to Slope" round-trip shuttle, and two adult lift tickets per day, plus complimentary high-speed internet access, valet parking, ski valet, shuttle service within Incline Village, and $5 casino match coupon.

The Diamond Peak Package starts at $129.50 per room, double occupancy, per night, Monday to Thursday, and $144.50, Friday through Sunday.

The Alpine Meadows/Homewood Package has tickets to Alpine on day one, Homewood the next. Price per person $144.50 a night with a three-night minimum.

The Tahoe Biltmore displays its rates on its website (see below), but bookings must be made by telephone. A spokesman said, “When you call don't be afraid to ask for any specials we may be running that week.”

Here again, skiers and riders can take advantage of the options Tahoe provides.

The Tahoe Biltmore Ski Northstar Package costs $88, the same price as a lift ticket bought at the window, and bags you a lift ticket, and a cottage room; same deal for Alpine Meadows, $76; Homewood, $63; Diamond Peak, $54.

The facility says it’s 15 or 20 minutes from each mountain, but runs a shuttle.

The price quoted is per person, double occupancy, Sunday through Thursday.